The stories of my life on a little island in the middle of the Mediterranean sea ... and my occasional adventures beyond these shores.

Tuesday 14 February 2017

A blog at the crossroads

Dear readers, I feel that this blog is at an impasse. As I have probably already mentioned, I started this blog without putting much thought into it. After a few months, I made the (I now feel) mistaken decision to start another blog dedicated solely to Malta. The problem is that I now do not have the time to update both. Ironically, while I make most effort on this blog, Snapshots of an Island (my other blog), which I haven't updated since June, gets much more traffic (300 - 400 hits a day compared to around 50 hits on this blog). The reason for this is because there is more factual information on my other blog as opposed to my day-dreaming and musing on this blog. So what is the solution?

USA 2013 016

I have been doing some research on how to make my blog more interesting (read that as 'more interesting to Google search engines'). There is a lot of advice out there, some of which I am not tech-savvy enough to understand. But there was one piece of advice (apart from hundreds of articles about SEO (search engine optimisation) and algorithms) that was repeated ad nauseum: Google loves it if we talk about current events. Ah, and there's the rub, as the most famous English bard put it. I am not quite ready to do that. It's not that I completely ignore all that going on around me. It's that here, on this blog, I want to get away from the corruption and the sleaze; from the whole ugly mess out there. Most days, when I watch the news, both local and international, I get so emotionally distraught that all I want to do is dig a deep hole and lie in it until it's all over - if it ever will be.

So it seems that I will ignore the advice and do what feels right for me. My blog isn't about a business or about putting myself out there to make a living off of it. It's just a place where I make my own rules and where I can stick my tongue out at Google and write about what I want. I was toying with the idea of starting a new blog but that seemed  too drastic and it felt like a  pity to abandon all that I had  built up (albeit, it's not much). However, some changes are necessary. I will definitely be going for a different look: a new font, new background, simpler layout. I will definitely be sharing more about Malta on this blog (including some factual posts that I promise won't be too heavy on the history) and also write more articles about the places we have visited on our travels. I feel that I have not done most them justice as there is still so much more I can dig up from my travel journals that is bound to be of interest to those that take the time to stop and read. Another plan is to interview readers of this blog and also authors (if they accept) of blogs that I read and find very interesting or informative. We will see how it goes. Please bear with me if you land on my page and it's in shambles. I will try to keep the changes in the background but I am sure I am bound to make a few errors in the process.

USA 2013 031

None of these proposed changes will happen overnight but I hope that, by the end of this year, I will have a more defined style and a much more clear indication of the direction that I want this blog to go on. I know that a lot of my readers have been asking themselves whether what they have to say is relevant. I want to reassure them that, yes, it is relevant. As long as people stop by to read, it is relevant. As long as what you have to say,  or the photos that you share, brightens someone's day, then it is relevant. It is, perhaps, just a  matter of making some changes because if there is one thing that I have learned in  life, it is that change is constant and we just need to adapt while remaining true to ourselves. And although I know that I've talked about making changes a number of times but never got round to it, this time I am determined to see them through. All I ask is that you stay with me on what  may be a bumpy ride -at least for a little while. And I hope you won't mind me mixing things up a little bit.

USA 2013 030

8 comments:

  1. Wow, you really put blogging into perspective here Loree - an excellent, well-written post which I enjoyed reading. For a moment your post title brought concern you were abandoning us! Please don't do that. Then, noting you are ready to make changes, I smiled and breathed a sigh of relief, knowing you will keep sharing your life in a lovely spot in the world not many of us have visited (but soon!) or know much about.
    I blog for many of the same reasons you do and mostly on subjects which do not inflame or cause more turmoil in this already frightening world. I leave the mud-slinging and words of hate to others. I have stopped reading blogs which upset or stress me. I had thoughts of actually quitting over the past year. My readers have dwindled a bit, comments are fewer, but that doesn't upset me because my blog is first and foremost for me. It's my creative outlet, a place to share my photos whether from places far away where others may never have a chance to visit, or of my back garden on a pretty day, and I like to write. None of my family, other than my husband, seem to bother to read it but perhaps the grandchildren/great grandchildren will sometime down the road - who knows the way the world is going these days.
    I'll be looking forward to your new look even though the current one is always delightful. My 10th anniversary of blogging is this month - I'm planning to keep going at least a while longer because I love doing it.
    Happy day, every day.
    Hugs - Mary

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  2. Great post Loree! It is going to be tons of fun seeing your changes! You are spot on doing your own thing. Your present blog background is interesting, original, and charming. I remember liking it when I first began reading your blog. As for content, You are a Great Blogger!

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  3. Hi ..I just found you on Facebook. I totally understand what you mean. I have been blogging for 10 years now . I have quite a few followers too. But I think it has all changed. Facebook seems to have taken over. I was very ill last year due to personal circumstances and didn't write for a year. Didn't touch not all ..did wonder whether to return ..I did and got lovely responses. I feel that I haven't got much to offer ..what can I write about next.. I will persevere for a little while longer. Blogging should give us joy ..not be a hindrance. .I will look at your other blog too as my family came from Malta. Well my dad's side. Do what your heart tells you . Anne.

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  4. ALL SOUNDS GOOD..................I thought I had subscribed to THAT OTHER BLOG but it never lands in my inbox!I have practically given up on the bLOGS that are making MONEY!TOO OOOO MANY ADS and BUY This and THAT...........I can go shopping if I want that from a BLOG!I want to become apart of your LIFE. FEEL like I'm sitting in your SALON and chatting with YOU.I want to hear your UPS and DOWNS............if you LIKE something I SEND IT TO YOU if I CAN!WE are FRIENDS......NOT STRANGERS and I feel WE NEED EACH OTHER!SO, hang in there and forget about THE STATS...........DONOT LISTEN TO GOOGLE and do what your HEART tells YOU to DO!
    XOXO

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  5. That's funny I had the same thoughts, but then I decided to continue and not consider the amount of comments because finally I don't want to go into Googles book of records. One thing attracts people is when you participate in a meme. For example if you write about Malta or another country link it to "Our World", there are so many memes around you just have to put your link. That way you will know a lot of other Bloggers. The labels are also important, for example here you could have added "crossroad" !

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  6. Loree, having a blog should bring you joy and not be an obligation or burden. I, too, have wrestled with these same issues and finally came to the conclusion that if it's not fun, don't do it. So now I post when I feel inspired, which may or may not be very often, and that brings the fun back into it. Wishing you the best with whatever decision you make, but I love to visit your blog and hope you will continue! xoxo

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  7. Ah! I don't know how you've kept up with two. I finally posted and it had been ... a month and a half? So much going on and time seems to be going by faster and faster. I remember some of my research off Google said you should do it regularly. ... Oh well! Just do what you can.
    Big blessings and light your way!

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  8. Dear Loree - sweet friend - whatever changes you make I am sure they will be great. I love reading about where you live. Always your thoughts and words touch a place in my heart. Your sharing is a treasure I enjoy unwrapping. Never minded a "bumpy road". They usually lead to a beautiful spot :) Hugs!

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Thanks for stopping by. I read and appreciate every one of your comments. I will do my best to reply whenever I can.

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